Jean Michel Jarre – Oxygene
Synthesizer [ARP 2600, VCS3, AKS, RMI Harmonic Synthesizer], Organ [Farfisa, Eminent 310], Mellotron, Drum Machine [Rythmin'computer, Korg Mini-Pop] – Jean Michel Jarre
Written by Jean Michel Jarre
1 LP, standard sleeve
Original analog Master tape : YES
Heavy Press : 180g
Record color : black
Speed : 33 RPM
Size : 12'’
Stereo
Studio
Record Press : GZ Media
Label : Sony
Original Label : Disques Motors
Recorded August–November 1976 at Jean-Michel Jarre Private Studio in Paris
Mixed by Jean-Pierre Janiaud at Studio Gang
Produced by Jean-Michel Jarre
Remastered in 2014 by Dave Dadwater at Yakuda Audio
Photography by David Bailey, Charlotte Rampling
Artwork by Michel Granger
Originally released in December 1976
Reissued in December 2023
Tracks:
Side A:
- Oxygene (Part 1)
- Oxygene (Part 2)
- Oxygene (Part 3)
Side B:
- Oxygene (Part 4)
- Oxygene (Part 5)
- Oxygene (Part 6)
Awards:
Included in the 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die
Reviews :
“Jean Michel Jarre, son of film composer Maurice Jarre, is one of the true pioneers of electronic music. Oxygène is one of the original e-music albums. It has withstood the test of time and the evolution of digital electronica. Jarre's compositional style and his rhythmic instincts were his strong points in 1976. While his popularity has escalated exponentially over the years, he never quite achieved the quality of this amazing recording. The innocence and freshness provide most of its charm. Jarre's techniques and ability provide the rest. This epic work will appeal to fans of Tonto's Expanding HeadBand, Tangerine Dream, Synergy, Kraftwerk, and Klaus Schulze.” AllMusic Review by Jim Brenholts
"Jarre used his classical grounding to formulate swirling, floating melodies, often in odd sequences, such as 34.5 bars. They range from the eerie (as per the opener) to the ethereal ("Part 2," which unintentionally connotes the space-obsessed themes, from Mars Viking to Star Wars, with a crescendo of throbbing, burbling beats overtaken by cascading synths and laser-burst effects). Following the sea wash of the John Carpenter-esque 'Part 3,' there is the hypnotic vibrato of 'Oxygene Part 4,' with its memorable, ice-dance refrain - still a global TV theme staple - and its successor, mixing subterranean atmospheres with Bolero-like Twenties gothicism, before an expressive finale." -Tim Jones, 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die
Ratings :
AllMusic : 5 / 5 , Discogs : 4,38 / 5